Translation guide
The English word 'exasperating' describes something intensely irritating or frustrating, often implying a sense of being worn down by repeated annoyance. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adjectives, verbs, and phrases that convey irritation, frustration, or being fed up.
To describe a situation, person, or thing that causes strong annoyance and frustration, often over time.
An i-adjective meaning 'irritating' or 'infuriating'. It directly conveys a sense of anger and annoyance. Commonly used in everyday speech.
彼の無責任な態度は本当に腹立たしい。
His irresponsible attitude is really exasperating.
An i-adjective meaning 'irritating' or 'frustrating'. It emphasizes a sense of being on edge or agitated. Slightly more formal than 腹立たしい.
この騒音は苛立たしい。
This noise is exasperating.
An i-adjective meaning 'irritatingly slow' or 'frustrating' due to lack of progress. It conveys impatience and exasperation at something not happening quickly enough.
彼の煮え切らない返事がじれったい。
His noncommittal reply is exasperating.
A colloquial phrase meaning 'to get on one's nerves' or 'to make one mad'. It expresses a sudden surge of anger or exasperation.
彼の言い訳には本当に頭にくる。
His excuses are really exasperating.
A common phrase meaning 'to be irritated' or 'to get frustrated'. It describes the feeling of exasperation, often used for ongoing situations.
渋滞はイライラする。
Traffic jams are exasperating.
To express that something is so persistently annoying that it exhausts one's patience.
A phrase meaning 'to be fed up' or 'to be sick and tired'. It conveys exasperation from prolonged exposure to something unpleasant.
毎日同じことの繰り返しでうんざりする。
The same routine every day is exasperating.
A phrase meaning 'to get sick of' or 'to become disgusted with'. It implies a strong sense of exasperation leading to a desire to give up.
彼のわがままには嫌になる。
His selfishness is exasperating.
An adverb meaning 'wearily' or 'exasperatedly'. It describes a state of being worn out and annoyed. Often used with する.
To describe something that is exasperating because it is hard to deal with or understand.
A phrase meaning 'unmanageable' or 'out of hand'. It describes a person or situation that is so difficult it causes exasperation.
あの生徒は手に負えない。
That student is exasperating.
A na-adjective meaning 'troublesome' or 'burdensome'. It implies that something is a hassle and causes frustration.
腹立たしい focuses on anger and indignation, often directed at someone's actions. 苛立たしい emphasizes a state of nervous irritation, like being on edge. じれったい is specifically about impatience and frustration at slow progress or indecision.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'exasperating' in all contexts. Avoid directly translating it as a single adjective; instead, choose the phrase that best fits the specific nuance of irritation, frustration, or weariness.
彼の長話にげんなりした。
I was exasperated by his long-winded story.
この問題は本当に厄介だ。
This problem is really exasperating.
A colloquial i-adjective meaning 'bothersome' or 'too much trouble'. It expresses exasperation at having to deal with something tedious.
手続きが面倒くさい。
The procedure is exasperating.